DE2658880A1 - Plant nutrient supply device - has vessel formed of interlocked sections with outlet apertures in bottom - Google Patents

Abstract

The plant device is in the form of an operator, which can be fitted in a plant culture vessel such as a water level indicator, filler and drain shaft for the water or nutrient etc. At its bottom, it has connecting holes to the inside of the plant culture vessel. The shaft (10) is axially divided and made up of shaft sections (11, 12, 13). At its top end, it has a construction to allow the fitting of a lid or a functional attachment. Each shaft section (11, 12, 13) at one end has a plug connector (21, 22) which mates with corresponding parts of another shaft section.

Description

PATENT ADVOCATE DIPL.-PHYS. HEINRICH SEIDS

62 Wiesbaden · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · P.O. Box 12068 · Telephone (0 6121) 56 53 82

Postal check Frankfurt / Main 1810 08 - 602 Bank Deutsche Bank 395 63 72 Nass. Savings 108 00 30 65 j

Wiesbaden, December 14, 1976 E 311 S / rd

Armin Höllwarth

j 6070 Langen

Device for plant culture in hydroponics or soil culture with water storage

The invention relates to a device for plant cultivation in hydroponics or soil culture with water storage, the shaft-like to be installed in a plant culture vessel Operating equipment such as water level indicator, filling and suction shaft for the water or the nutrient liquid and the like is formed, and has connection openings to the interior of the plant culture vessel at its lower part.

Devices for the hydroponics of plants are known, which have a base plate in the interior of a hydroponics vessel Have shaft pipe to be set up vertically. This shaft pipe can even be used as operating equipment, namely as

809826/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids - Patent Attorney Bieretadter Höhe 15 - P.O. Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1 & (0 6121) 5653

-trio

Suction tube or filling tube for nutrient liquid can be used. In addition, an operating device, for example a level indicator for the nutrient liquid contained in the hydroponic container can be used. The manhole pipe and the pipe forming the peripheral wall of the level indicator but in one piece over their entire length and must therefore be matched to the height of the respective hydroponic container from the outset (see DT-OS 2 303 069).

In contrast, the object of the invention is to provide a device to create the type described above, which can be used in a simple manner on plant culture vessels of different Set or have the height and interior fittings adjusted.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the Shaft divided axially composed of shaft sections and at its upper end for placing a cover or

j functional attachment is formed, with each shaft section

j plug connection devices which match at least one end with corresponding parts of another 'shaft section is provided.

809826/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids patent attorney Bierstadter Höhe 15. P.O. Box 5105. 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ig ¹ (0 6121) 5653

What is achieved by the invention is that the user can assemble a shaft tube corresponding to the height and type of construction of the plant culture vessel for each application. The shaft pipe can be adapted to the height of the plant culture vessel by choosing the number of shaft sections. An even better possibility of adapting to the height of the respective plant culture vessel results when shaft sections of different axial lengths are provided. You can then select the shaft sections according to their number and their respective axial length and thus make a very precise adjustment to the vessel height. An additional improvement is obtained if shaft sections are provided which have plug-in connection devices of the same shape at one end, but with a different axial length than at their other end. Such shaft sections can then be plugged together either in one orientation or in the other. In one orientation, the connector devices fit into one another over their entire axial length, while in the other orientation they can only be plugged together to the length j of the shorter connector device, and part of the longer connector device is therefore available as an additional shaft height. It is particularly advantageous in this embodiment of the invention, the connector

809826/0389

Dlpl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids - Patent Attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · P.O. Box 5105 · 6200 Wiesbaden 1 · ^ g "(0 6121) 56 53

devices to form a ring of alternating inner and outer axial tongues essentially the same width, wherein these tongues have essentially half the thickness of the shaft wall thickness, and in continuation of the outer or inner shaft wall surface are arranged. These plug connection devices formed from axial tongues offer the advantage that on the Connection points are ensured essentially smooth surface transitions from one shaft section to the other, so that operating equipment arranged directly inside such a shaft, for example level indicators for nutrient fluid or water through the> -. construction of the shaft from a number of sections in their operation cannot be hindered.

A modification of the plug connection devices for the shaft sections can also consist within the scope of the invention that the shaft sections have two different plug connection devices in the form of eon to be introduced and received [plug-in connection devices, the to be introduced

: Connector devices an introductory ring and behind it ; an outer ring evenly distributed, equally wide axially Have projections and axial depressions, while the female connector devices have a receptacle for the

809826/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids Patent Attorney Bierstadter Höhe 15 P.O. Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1. @ (06121) 565382

Introductory ring and in front of it an outer ring of axial projections and axial grooves included. This modified type of connector devices enables them to be plugged together in two different, mutual rotational positions of the two shaft sections to be connected. In the one mutual Rotary position, the outer rings interlock with their axial projections and axial depressions, so that the Connector devices are plugged deep into one another. In all other mutual rotational positions, the outer ones butt Rings with their axial projections against each other, so that the connector devices only on part of their axial Length are plugged together, and thereby the plugged shaft sections receive a correspondingly greater axial length. In this embodiment of the invention, too, the plug-in connection devices can be at least fully plugged together j a smooth transition point from the inner surface of one shaft

¹ section to the other shaft section can be reached. For this

it is best to use the receptacle for the introductory ring as a to form inner annular groove in the shaft section wall. A stable connection between the manhole sections can be established in this second embodiment then ensure particularly well, when the introductory ring and the inner ring groove, respectively essentially half the thickness of the shaft section wall

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Diploma Phys. Heinrich Seids Patent Attorney - Bierstadter Höhe IS PO Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ® (06121) 565382

2858880

to take.

The possibility of adapting to any internal training of the plant culture vessels can be achieved particularly favorably if a shaft section in the form of a shaft lower part with a shaft bottom and the connection openings in its peripheral wall as well a connector device is provided on its upper edge. The shaft can then easily enter such Plant culture vessels are used in which the manhole base in the manner of a base element directly on the bottom of the plant culture vessel is molded. In such a case, one can simply use the one provided in the form of a manhole base Omit the shaft section. For better adaptation to such base elements which may be formed on the bottom of the plant culture vessel it is particularly recommended in the above-mentioned second embodiment of the plug-in connection devices that the in Shaft section formed in the form of a shaft lower part at its upper edge with an upwardly protruding introduction ring to train. However, it can be any within the scope of the invention

j Type of connector devices also in connection with a base element molded into the plant culture vessel are provided.

809826/0389

Dlpl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids Patent Attorney - Bierstadter Höhe 15 P.O. Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ® (06121) 565382

ΛΛ

Some embodiments of the invention are set out below explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention constructed, partially plugged together shaft pipe for a nutrient liquid level indicator;

FIG. 2 shows an additional shaft section for a shaft structure according to FIG. 1 in a side view; FIG.

3 shows the shaft section according to FIG. 2 in half section corresponding to the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

4- the shaft section according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in plan view;

5 shows a shaft structure in a second embodiment of the invention for a nutrient level indicator in an exploded, axially sectioned representation of the shaft sections;

6 shows the shaft sections according to the embodiment FIG. 5 in a perspective illustration;

Fig. 7 shows a shaft assembly according to Figures 5 and 6 for a prior-Nährflüssigkeits height indicator with the bottom of the plant culture vessel angeformtera base part in axial section, and

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Djpl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids - patent attorney. Bierstadter Höhe IS. P.O. Box 5105 · 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ■ ® (06121) 5653

8 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 7 of a corresponding to the shaft wall and the type the mating modified version of the basic embodiment according to FIG 5 and 6.

Figures 1 to 4 show a preferred embodiment of the Invention. The shaft pipe 10 is formed in this example from shaft sections 11, 12, 13 and at its upper end with an attached functional attachment, namely a display attachment 14 for the level of the nutrient solution or the water in the plant culture vessel. Inside the shaft pipe 10 and the functional attachment 14 is a (not shown), Liquid level indicator equipped with a float is used .

According to FIG. 1, the shaft pipe 10 has two central shaft sections 11 and 12, which in the example shown have the same height, but differ in their structure as shown below.

; purifies, differentiates from one another. Each of these manhole

Sections 11 and 12 has a wreath at both ends axially extending, equally wide, inner tongues 21a and 21b and outer tongues 22a and 22b distributed all around.

809826/0389

Dlpl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids Patent Attorney Bierstadter Höhe 15 PO Box SlOS 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ® (06121) 5653

In the example shown, these tongues each take up a quarter of the wall circumference and are half the thickness of the actual one Shaft wall 23. The individual tongues are separated from one another along their * axial edges. This allows the outer tongues 22a and 22b over the inner tongues 21a and 21b of an adjacent shaft section 11 and 12 and 13, respectively put. In the example of Figure 1, the shaft section in the representation there has shorter tongues 21a on the upper edge, 22a and at the lower edge somewhat longer tongues 22b (the inner tongues 21b are not visible there) but have the same length like the tongues 22b. In this illustration, the middle shaft section 21 has longer tongues 22b (and accordingly also inner tongues 21b) and on the lower edge shorter inner tongues 21a and outer tongues 22a. In the representation of the Figure 1, the two shaft sections 11 and 12 are plugged together so that they fit together with the longer tongues 21b, 22b are. One of the two shaft sections, for example the shaft section 11, could also be reversed Push the position onto the other (namely shaft section 12). Then joining would only be to the length of the shorter one Tongues 21a and 22a would be possible and the longer tongues 21b and 22b would be exposed on the inner part of their length. The totality of the two shaft sections 11 and 12 would

809826/0389

Diploma Phys. Heinrich Seids ■ Patent attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · PO Box 5105. 6200 Wiesbaden 1 - Qj? (0 6121) 56 53 82

then have a correspondingly greater axial length.

In FIG. 1, a shaft lower part 13 is provided as the third shaft section, which is closed at the bottom by a shaft bottom 24 and has openings 25 distributed all around in the peripheral wall 23 above this shaft bottom. The lower part of the manhole In this example, 13 is equipped with shorter connecting tongues 21a and 22a.

In the example of FIG. 1, the functional attachment 14 has a lower one Edge 26, which fits between the inner tongues 21a and 21b and is securely held by these tongues. Above this lower one On the edge, a flange 27 is formed which sits on the upper edge of the tongues 21a or 21b and 22a or 22b and the whole of the shaft upwards. In the middle part of the functional attachment 14 carries an upwardly extending indicator tube 28.

The shaft sections 11, 12 and 13 shown in Figure 1 offer; various possibilities for plugging together: 1) the manner indicated in Figure 1 for joining, in which all plug connection devices 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b completely fit together and thus create the axially shortest connection option.

26/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids · Patent Attorney- Bierstadter Höhe 15 ■ Postfa * 5105 · 6200 Wiesbaden 1 · ® (0 6121) 565382

AS

If, as explained above, the shaft section 11 were to be turned over, then it occurs at a connection point, namely at that between the shaft sections 11 and 12 an only partial overlap of the longer tongues 21b and 22b by the shorter tongues 21a and 22a. This gives the Shaft an axial length greater by the length of the longer tongues 21b and 22b that is not covered. One could also take place whose turn the middle shaft section 12 around, then the longer tongues 21b, 22b with the shorter tongues 21a and 22a of the shaft lower part 13 come together, and are therefore not completely covered. The shorter tongues 21a 22a of the shaft section 12 would then come together with the longer tongues 21b and 22b of the shaft section 11 and these again only partially cover. The shaft would then have an axial length that was not covered by the two Tongue areas is larger than in the manner of joining shown in FIG.

In the example in FIG. 1, the shaft section differs 12 by the shaft section 11 that with him the outer tongues 22a and 22b are axially aligned with one another and thus correspondingly also the inner tongues 21a and 21b are axially aligned with one another are, while the shaft section 11 each have one Inner tongue is axially aligned with an outer tongue.

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Dipl.-Phys. Heinridi Seids - Patent Attorney - Bierstadter Höhe 15 Postfadi SI05 - 6200 Wiesbaden 1. ® (0 6121) 56 53 82

4b

However, this latter difference is not of decisive importance in the context of the invention.

In the example in FIG. 1, the shaft sections 11 and 12 have the same axial length. However, they could also be in different be formed of axial length.

Figures 2 to 4 show an additional shaft section 29, which has a considerably greater axial length than the shaft sections 11 and 12, but is easily incorporated into the system of FIG Manhole sections 11 and 12 can be inserted. In the example shown, the shaft section 29 has on each of its Ends one of inner tongues 21c and outer tongues 22c formed connector devices. The axial length of the connecting tongues 21c and 22c is still in this example greater than the axial length of the longer connecting tongues 21b and 22b according to FIG. 1. With this measure, the Shaft section 29 both by its greater overall axial length and by the greater axial length of its Tongues 21c and 22c further possible variations in connection with the shaft sections 11, 12, 13 according to FIG. 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in particular Figures 1, 3 and 4, the tongues 21a, 21h, 21c and 22a, 22b and

809826/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids ■ Patent attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · P.O. Box 5105 · 6200 Wiesbaden 1. ® (0 6121) 56 53 82

22c half the thickness of the wall 23 of the shaft sections 11, 12, 13, 29. This results when the Tongues have an essentially smooth inner shaft surface and a smooth outer shaft surface, apart from minor ones Depressions when longer tongues are not completely covered by shorter tongues.

Since the shaft sections are preferably made of plastic and since the tongues are axially arched, all connecting tongues are equipped with a considerable elastic spring effect.

In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, there is again a shaft 30 provided, which is plugged together from shaft sections 31 and 33 and a functional attachment 3 ^, for example in the form of an indicator tube for a nutrient level indicator having. In this example, the plug connection devices are at the two ends of the shaft section 31 differently designed. The upper end in the illustration of FIGS. 5 and 6 is at the shaft sections 31 and 33 an introductory ring 35 is formed while at the lower end of the shaft section 31 and the functional attachment 3 ^ an inner receptacle 36 for such an introductory

80 98 26/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids · Patent Attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · PO Box 5105 ■ 6200 Wiesbaden 1. <§? (0 6121) 5653 82

ring 35 is formed. Behind the introductory ring 35 is a ring of axial protrusions 36 and axial depressions 37 formed. Such axial projections 36 and depressions 37 are also on the shaft section designed as a shaft lower part 33 intended. On its opposite to the introduction ring 35 At the end, the shaft section 31 has axial projections 38 and depressions 39 on its outside. Such axial projections 38 and depressions 39 are also on the peripheral edge of the functional attachment 34 is formed.

To assemble, the insertion ring 35 is in the receptacle 36 of an adjacent shaft section or of the functional attachment introduced. When putting these parts together you can then either the axial projections 36 and 38 meet, or the axial projections 36 in the axial recesses 39 and the axial projections 38 in the axial Introduce wells 37. The introduction ring 35 should have such a large axial length that it can also be pushed together when the axial projections 36 and 38 of adjacent shaft sections are still sufficiently secure in the receptacle 36 is held. When the axial projections 36 and 38 of adjacent shaft sections meet at a connection point then the result is a correspondingly increased axial shaft length.

809826/0389

Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids Patent Attorney Bierstadter Höhe 15-Postfach 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1 © (06121) 565382

As the figures 7 and 8 show, ¹ IO, a base 43 may be formed on the vessel bottom 44 also instead of a separate shaft part 13 or 33 in a Planzenkulturgefäss. This base 43 has in the lower part the connection opening 45 to the interior of the plant culture vessel 40 and has an annular receptacle 46 on its upper edge for inserting a shaft section 31 or 32. As the comparison between FIGS. 7 and 8 shows, the one in FIG 8 by the shaft section 31 in that its shaft wall 33 is twice as thick as the insertion ring 35 and the wall in the region of the receptacle 36. As a result, the receptacle is designed in the form of an inner annular groove. In contrast to this, in the example of FIGS. 5 to 7, the introduction ring 35 is formed inwardly with respect to the shaft wall and has the same wall thickness.

! In addition, FIG. 8 shows a type of joining in which In contrast to FIG. 7, the axial projections 36 and 38; are met while the axial depressions 37 and 39 corresponding lateral recesses on the joined Form a shaft. By this kind of joining together the shaft in the example in FIG. 8 has a greater axial length than in the example in FIG. 7, although the number and

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Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids ■ Patent attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · PO Box 5105 - 6200 Wiesbaden 1 · ® (06121) 565382

the axial length of the shaft sections are the same.

All of the features reproduced in the description, the claims and the drawing can stand alone or in every conceivable combination of essential importance for the invention.

-Patent claims-

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Claims (10)

DlpL-Phys. Heinrich Seids - Patent Attorney - Bierstadter Höhe 15 Postfadi SlOS - 6200 Wiesbaden 1. ξ? (06121) 56 S3 Claims f \)) Device for plant culture in hydroponics or soil culture with water storage, which is designed as a shaft-like operating device to be installed in a plant culture vessel, such as water level indicator, filling and suction shaft for the water or the nutrient liquid, etc., and on its has lower part connecting openings to the interior of the plant culture vessel, characterized in that the shaft (10, 30) is divided axially composed of shaft sections (11, 12, 13; 31, 32, 33; 43) and at its upper end for placing a lid or Functional attachment (14, 34) is formed, each shaft section (11, 12, 13; 31, 32, 33; 43) at least at one end with a plug-in connection device (21, 22; 35 to 39) which mates with corresponding parts of another shaft section is provided. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that shaft sections (11, 12, 13, 29; 31 Licher axial length are provided. Shaft sections (11, 12, 13, 29; 31, 32, 33; 43) different 809826/0 389 ORIGINAL INSPECTED Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids ■ Patent attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15. P.O. Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1. & (0 6121) 5653 3) Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that shaft sections (11, 12) are provided which on their one end of a plug-in connection device (21, 22) of the same shape, but a different axial length than at its other end exhibit. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that the plug connection devices each consist of a ring of alternating inner and outer axial tongues (21, 22) are formed of essentially the same width, these tongues (21, 22) being essentially half the thickness of the shaft wall thickness (23) and are arranged in continuation of the outer or inner shaft wall surface. 5) Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shaft sections to be inserted connector devices (35, 36, 37) and female connector devices (35a, 38, 39), the to be inserted Plug connection devices an introduction ring (35) and behind it an outer ring evenly distributed, evenly having wider axial projections (36) and axial depressions (37), while the female connector devices a receptacle (35a) for the sin guide ring (35) and in front of it an outer ring of axial projections (38) and 809828/0389 Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids patent attorney Bierstadter Höhe 15. P.O. Box 5105 6200 Wiesbaden 1 ® (06121) 565382 axial recesses (39) included. 6) Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the receptacle for the introduction ring (35) has an inner annular groove (35a) is in the shaft section wall (33). 7) Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the introduction ring (35) and the inner annular groove (35a) respectively essentially occupy half the thickness of the shaft section wall (23). 8) Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a shaft section in the form of a shaft lower part (13, 33) with a shaft bottom (2M) and the connection openings (25) in its peripheral wall (23) and a plug connection device (21 , 22; 35 to 39) is provided on its upper wheel . 9) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug connection device of the shaft lower part (33) is formed with an upwardly protruding insertion ring (35). 8098 26/03 89 Dipl.-Phys. Heinrich Seids · Patent Attorney · Bierstadter Höhe 15 · PO Box 5105 ■ 6200 Wiesbaden 1 · ξ? (Ο 6121) 56 53 10) Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shaft lower part is formed in the manner of a base element (43) directly on the bottom (44) of the plant culture vessel (40). 809826/0389